"You're smiling so happily. Is she your girlfriend?"
Ijichi Seika, walking over, asked Chisato, who was the most good-looking at the store.
Chisato put his phone back in his pocket,
"No."
She's going to be my future wife.
"Manager, business was good today. We sold a lot of drinks and alcohol, and we don't have much stock left."
"Oh, I see. Don't worry about it. I'll arrange for someone to bring more stock tomorrow morning. It's almost time, so you should go home and rest after we close."
Chisato agreed but didn't immediately leave. Instead, he continued with his work, cleaning the counters and drink equipment. When it was five minutes past closing time, he finally said his goodbyes, grabbed his backpack, and headed toward the recording studio.
"Hic—Hehe, what a great kid. Handsome and well-behaved. If I were ten years younger, I'd definitely consider pursuing him."
"He seems like the type who would take good care of his girlfriend."
Miss Kikuri Hiroi, a junior from the manager's school days and a regular supporter of the store, said this while holding a can of beer and appearing a bit drunk.
Ijichi Seika gave her a disdainful look.
"With the way you look now, there's no way he'd be interested in you."
"Hahaha, but I said 'if.' People can dream, right? Anyway, as long as I have alcohol, I'm fine. From now on, I'll be a parasite at Starry, so please take care of me in the future! Cheers!"
"Cheers, my foot. Stop hanging around here and go to bed!"
Chisato walked into the recording studio.
Because the manager was his sister, this room was usually occupied by the End Band, led by Ijichi Nijika, when no one had it reserved. The band members would practice or perform together inside.
Over the past week, Chisato had watched Hitori, who was once shy and nervous with many peculiar behaviors, gradually open up and integrate into the small team, engaging in communication with others.
Last Saturday evening, they had another performance. It was Hitori's first time performing under the spotlight, and perhaps due to nerves, she didn't perform as well as expected. The performance didn't go well, and the audience's applause was sparse.
However, there was a twist. After the performance, Hitori, afraid of being scolded by the other three for not doing well, lost consciousness and collapsed on the floor, shaking like a dog begging for belly rubs.
A customer found the scene amusing and took a video, which quickly went viral online.
Afterwards, Seika contacted the video uploader to have it removed, but the impact remained. At least some people learned about the Starry store in Shimokitazawa and found out about the interesting girl and her band.
Chisato's progress on the task related to Hitori had reached (78/100).
He hadn't done anything actively, and the progress bar was increasing on its own. Completing the task seemed to be just a matter of time.
When Chisato walked in, the bassist, Ryo Yamada, was discussing the performance's shortcomings with the others.
Chisato waved them off, indicating to continue without him, and naturally sat down, pulling out his English vocabulary cards to study.
Having promised Kazusa to be the top of the class in the next monthly exam, he didn't want to see the mocking expression she had in the infirmary when she said she was overtaken in a long-distance run, even if it was more teasing than malicious.
Wanting to show off one's skills in front of someone you like to gain their affection and admiration, and thus fulfill the task of reproduction, is a natural instinct. Animals and humans alike cannot avoid it.
After another half hour of practice, the band members packed up and prepared to head home.
Hitori, having packed her guitar, quickly approached Chisato.
"Finished?"
"Yes."
Hitori nodded, now more composed in conversations than at the beginning.
"Alright, let's head back."
In the evening, Shimokitazawa has many lively youngsters around. Given Hitori's social anxiety, Chisato was worried that she might be forcibly taken away without being able to refuse, so he always walked with her to the train station at night.
Chisato's concern led to him being privately teased by the manager as having a "father-daughter" vibe with Hitori.
Miss Kikuri Hiroi thought the senior's comment was off. She believed their relationship resembled that of a perfect owner and a shy pet.
"Ah, um…"
"Bocchi-chan, is Chisato-kun going too?"
As Hitori was about to say something while packing up his vocabulary cards, Ijichi Nijika's voice asked.
Bocchi-chan was a nickname given to Hitori by the other band members, meaning "lonely," which suited her personality well. She herself liked the nickname.
However, regarding the nickname, Chisato initially misunderstood. He spent his days mishearing those girls calling Hitori "Bocchi-chan" over and over.
At the time, he thought to himself, "Are girls these days really this open?"
They were using a term related to male physiological reactions as a nickname and boldly calling it out like that.
Looking back now, he was glad he had kept silent and didn't show any signs of confusion.
Otherwise, it could have turned into a real mess.
"Want to join us?"
"I was just about to tell you, everyone's feeling a bit hungry and planning to grab a late-night snack before heading home. They wanted to invite you."
Hitori glanced up at Chisato, nervously fidgeting with her dress.
"A group meal, huh."
Chisato scratched his head.
"The manager bought some pizza, and I've already had a few slices, so I'm not hungry. I think I'll pass this time. Once we're done, follow Ikuyo to the station, alright?"
"Yes, I understand… See you tomorrow."
"Mm, see you tomorrow."
Chisato gave a quick wave to the others and then turned and walked out.
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